Local CrossFit athlete takes 2nd in national competition

Six athletes from CrossFit Ridgecrest competed in The Gauntlet, a national CrossFit Kids competition, held Jan. 20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.CrossFit Ridgecrest member Brendan Allen placed second in the novice division at The Gauntlet.“I wasn’t expecting to hear my name called,” Allen said...

LOS ANGELES — Six athletes from CrossFit Ridgecrest competed in The Gauntlet, a national CrossFit Kids competition, held Jan. 20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

CrossFit Ridgecrest member Brendan Allen placed second in the novice division at The Gauntlet.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear my name called,” Allen said. “I’m really proud of myself and I want to thank my coaches at CrossFit Ridgecrest for helping me get here.”

This was the fourth and largest competition for Allen, who has been doing CrossFit for about year. He said he loves CrossFit and is looking forward to more events like this to challenge himself.

“Brendan shows up five times a week, he stretches, he listens, and he knows the importance of having correct form,” said Cody Meyers, a coach at CrossFit Ridgecrest. “He worked hard and he definitely earned it today.”

Savannah Voelker competed in the varsity division, while Caleb Draves, Robert King, Blake Sarrett and Max Vargas competed in the junior varsity division.

The competition consisted of three separate workouts. The first workout of the day (WOD) had the competitors performing handstand push-ups, pull-ups and air squats.

The final WOD was a weightlifting workout known as “The Complex,” which called for dead lifts, hanging power cleans, front squats and push jerks.

“I’m really proud of all of our athletes,” said Janet Kowalchick, a coach, physical therapist and owner of CrossFit Ridgecrest. “We have been fortunate to be involved with the CrossFit Kids Program since its infancy. Now, it is really taking off and our kids are at the forefront of this up-and-coming sport. The Gauntlet was a great event for our kids to compete at the national level and show just how hard they’ve been training.”

CrossFit is a regimen of constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity in a communal environment that leads to health and fitness. It is for anyone and can be scaled to any fitness level.

The next beginner “On Ramp” class for adults at CrossFit Ridgecrest is set for Jan. 29. Kids ages 3-17 are welcome to start anytime at one of the regularly scheduled classes. For more information, call 760-446-5781 or visit www.crossfitridgecrest.com.